Regulation of the intestinal flora: A potential mechanism of natural medicines in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Recent advancements in mogrosides: A review on biological activities, synthetic biology, and applications in the food industry

Mogrosides are low-calorie, biologically active sweeteners that face high production costs due to strict cultivation requirements and the low yield of monk fruit. The rapid advancement in synthetic biology holds the potential to overcome this challenge. This review presents mogrosides exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and liver protective activities, with their efficacy in diabetes treatment surpassing that of Xiaoke pills (a Chinese diabetes medication). It also discusses the latest elucidated biosynthesis pathways of mogrosides, highlighting the challenges and research gaps in this field. The critical and most challenging step in this pathway is the transformation of mogrol into a variety of mogrosides by different UDP-glucosyltransferases (UGTs), primarily hindered by the poor substrate selectivity, product specificity, and low catalytic efficiency of current UGTs. Finally, the applications of mogrosides in the current food industry and the challenges they face are discussed.

Effects of Scallop Mantle Toxin on Intestinal Microflora and Intestinal Barrier Function in Mice

Previous studies have shown that feeding mice with food containing mantle tissue from Japanese scallops results in aggravated liver and kidney damage, ultimately resulting in mortality within weeks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of scallop mantle in China's coastal areas and explore the impact of scallop mantle toxins (SMT) on intestinal barrier integrity and gut microbiota in mice. The Illumina MiSeq sequencing of V3-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S ribosomal RNA was employed to study the alterations in gut microbiota in the feces of SMT mice. The results showed that intestinal flora abundance and diversity in the SMT group were decreased. Compared with the control group, significant increases were observed in serum indexes related to liver, intestine, inflammation, and kidney functions among SMT-exposed mice. Accompanied by varying degrees of tissue damage observed within these organs, the beneficial bacteria of Muribaculaceae and Marinifilaceae significantly reduced, while the harmful bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacter were significantly increased. Taken together, this article elucidates the inflammation and glucose metabolism disorder caused by scallop mantle toxin in mice from the angle of gut microbiota and metabolism. SMT can destroy the equilibrium of intestinal flora and damage the intestinal mucosal barrier, which leads to glucose metabolism disorder and intestinal dysfunction and may ultimately bring about systemic toxicity.

Carvacrol improves blood lipid and glucose in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus by regulating short-chain fatty acids and the GPR41/43 pathway

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Carvacrol (CAR) has demonstrated the potential to mitigate dyslipidemia. This study aims to investigate whether CAR can modulate blood glucose and lipid levels in a T2DM rat model by regulating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the GPR41/43 pathway. The T2DM rat model was induced by a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozocin injection and treated with oral CAR and/or mixed antibiotics. Fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance tests were assessed. Serum lipid parameters, hepatic and renal function indicators, tissue morphology, and SCFAs were measured. In vitro, high glucose (HG)-induced IEC-6 cells were treated with CAR, and optimal CAR concentration was determined. HG-induced IEC-6 cells were treated with SCFAs or/and GPR41/43 agonists. CAR significantly reduced blood lipid and glucose levels, improved tissue damage, and increased SCFA levels in feces and GPR41/43 expression in colonic tissues of T2DM rats. CAR also attenuated HG-induced apoptosis of IEC-6 cells and enhanced GPR41/43 expression. Overall, these findings suggest that CAR alleviates blood lipid and glucose abnormalities in T2DM rats by modulating SCFAs and the GPR41/43 pathway.

A review on the hypoglycemic effect, mechanism and application development of natural dietary polysaccharides

Diabetes mellitus (DM) as one chronic metabolic disease was greatly increased over recent decades. The major agents treating diabetes have noticeable side effects as well as the tolerability problems. The bioactive dietary polysaccharides from abundant natural resources exhibit good hypoglycemic effect with rare adverse effects, which might serve as a candidate to prevent and treat diabetes. However, the correlations between the hypoglycemic mechanism of polysaccharides and their structure were not mentioned in several studies, what's more, most of the current hypoglycemic studies on polysaccharides were based on in vitro and in vivo experiments, and there was a lack of knowledge about the effects in human clinical trials. The aim of this review is to discuss recent literature about the variety of dietary polysaccharides with hypoglycemic activity, as well the mechanism of action and the structure-function relationship are highlighted. Meanwhile, the application of dietary polysaccharides in functional foods and clinical medicine are realized with an in-depth understanding. So as to promote the exploration of dietary polysaccharides in low glycemic healthy foods or clinical medicine to prevent and treat diabetes.

Biological Potential and Mechanisms of Tea's Bioactive Compounds in Tea: An Updated Review

BACKGROUND

Tea (Camellia sinensis) has a rich history and is widely consumed across many countries, and is categorized into green tea, white tea, oolong tea, yellow tea, black tea, and dark tea based on the level of fermentation. Based on a review of previous literature, the commonly recognized bioactive substances in tea include tea polyphenols, amino acids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, terpenoids, macro minerals, trace elements, and vitamins, which have been known to have various potential health benefits, such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anti-obesity properties, cardiovascular protection, immune regulation, and control of the intestinal microbiota. Most studies have only pointed out the characteristics of tea's bioactivities, so a comprehensive summary of the pharmacological characteristics and mechanisms of tea's bioactivities and their use risks are vital.

AIM

of Review The aim of this paper is to summarize the bioactive substances of tea and their pharmacological characteristics and mechanisms, providing a scientific basis for the application of bioactive substances in tea and outlining future research directions for the study of bioactive substances in tea. Key Scientific Concepts of Review This review summarizes the main biologically active substances, pharmacological effects, and mechanisms and discusses the potential risks. It may help researchers to grasp more comprehensive progress in the study of tea bioactive substances to further promote the application of tea as a natural bioactive substance in the medical field.

Advances in the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of emodin in the treatment of metabolic diseases

Rhubarb palmatum L., Polygonum multijiorum Thunb., and Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. Et Zucc. are traditional Chinese medicines that have been used for thousands of years. They are formulated into various preparations and are widely used. Emodin is a traditional Chinese medicine monomer and the main active ingredient in Rhubarb palmatum L., Polygonum multijiorum Thunb., and Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. Et Zucc. Modern research shows that it has a variety of pharmacological effects, including promoting lipid and glucose metabolism, osteogenesis, and anti-inflammatory and anti-autophagy effects. Research on the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of emodin can promote its clinical application. This review aims to provide a basis for further development and clinical research of emodin in the treatment of metabolic diseases. We performed a comprehensive summary of the pharmacology and molecular mechanisms of emodin in treating metabolic diseases by searching databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and CNKI up to 2023. In addition, this review also analyzes the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of emodin. The results show that emodin mainly regulates AMPK, PPAR, and inflammation-related signaling pathways, and has a good therapeutic effect on obesity, hyperlipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes and its complications, and osteoporosis. In addition, controlling toxic factors and improving bioavailability are of great significance for its clinical application.

Metabolomics reveals the role of Lactobacillus plantarum SHY130 in hepatic metabolic regulation in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, the incidence rate of liver metabolic disorders is much higher than that in healthy subjects. It was observed in our previous research that diabetic symptoms were improved by Lactobacillus plantarum SHY130 (LPSHY130) isolated from yak yogurt in a murine model of T2D. This study sought to investigate the LPSHY130-mediated hepatic metabolic regulation in a murine model of T2D.

RESULTS

Treatment with LPSHY130 improved liver function and pathological damage in diabetic mice. Untargeted metabolome analysis revealed that T2D-induced changes in 11 metabolites were regulated after LPSHY130 treatment, mainly involving purine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and choline metabolism and pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways. In addition, correlation analysis indicated that hepatic metabolic changes can be adjusted by the intestinal microbiota.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study suggests that treatment with LPSHY130 relieves liver injury and regulates liver metabolism in a murine model of T2D, thus providing a theoretical basis for the use of probiotics as dietary supplements to regulate hepatic metabolic disorders associated with T2D. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Exploring the Potential Medicinal Benefits of Ganoderma lucidum: From Metabolic Disorders to Coronavirus Infections

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It has been found to have a wide range of medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects. Recent research has focused on the potential benefits of G. lucidum in treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, as well as its possible role in preventing and treating infections caused by the coronavirus. Triterpenoids are a major group of bioactive compounds found in G. lucidum, and they have a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds have been found to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels in animal models of diabetes. Additionally, G. lucidum polysaccharides have been found to reduce bodyweight and improve glucose metabolism in animal models of obesity. These polysaccharides can also help to increase the activity of certain white blood cells, which play a critical role in the body’s immune response. For coronavirus, some in vitro studies have shown that G. lucidum polysaccharides and triterpenoids have the potential to inhibit coronavirus infection; however, these results have not been validated through clinical trials. Therefore, it would be premature to draw any definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of G. lucidum in preventing or treating coronavirus infections in humans.

Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis): A Current Update on Use in Diabetes, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Disease

The tea plant (C. sinensis) has traditionally been consumed worldwide as "tea" for its many health benefits, with the potential for the prevention and therapy of various conditions. Regardless of its long history, the use of tea plants in modern times seems not to have changed much, as the beverage remains the most popular form. This review aimed to compile scientific information about the role and action of tea plants, as well as their status concerning clinical applications, based on the currently available evidence, with a focus on metabolic syndrome, mainly covering obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It has been recognized that these diseases pose a significant threat to public health, and the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies is necessary but still challenging. In this article, the potential benefits of tea plants and their derived bioactive components (such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate) as anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-cardiovascular agents are clearly shown and emphasized, along with their mechanisms of action. However, according to the status of the clinical translation of tea plants, particularly in drug development, more substantial efforts in well-designed, randomized, controlled trials are required to expand their applications in treating the three major metabolic disorders and avoiding the toxicity caused by overconsumption.

The impact of herbal medicine in regulating intestinal flora on female reproductive disorders

As an important part of the human intestinal microecology, the intestinal flora is involved in a number of physiological functions of the host. Several studies have shown that imbalance of intestinal flora and its regulation of the intestinal barrier, intestinal immune response, and intestinal flora metabolites (short-chain fatty acids and bile acids) can affect the development and regression of female reproductive disorders. Herbal medicine has unique advantages in the treatment of female reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and premature ovarian insufficiency, although its mechanism of action is still unclear. Therefore, based on the role of intestinal flora in the occurrence and development of female reproduction-related diseases, the progress of research on the diversity, structure and composition of intestinal flora and its metabolites regulated by botanical drugs, Chinese herbal formulas and active ingredients of Chinese herbal medicines is reviewed, with a view to providing reference for the research on the mechanism of action of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of female reproductive disorders and further development of new herbal medicines.